Points are shared in no score bore
Binos and Blue Brazil fail to thrill the fans
COWDENBEATH ........................ 0
STIRLING ALBION ..................... 0 >
Part one of Albion’s Fife double header ended in a drab draw at Central Park on Saturday with a trip to champions Kelty Hearts to come this weekend.
The Binos lost here to the bottom club back in December and had to settle for a point in the spring sunshine after 90 minutes that rarely set the pulses racing.
It was a result that did neither side any good. With the teams above them failing to win, three points might have given Darren Young’s men a glimmer of making the play-offs and would have at least lifted them above Stranraer and into sixth place.
Meanwhile, Maurice Ross’ men are 12 points adrift at the foot of the cinch League 2 table and will face Bonnyrigg Rose, Fraserburgh or Buckie Thistle in a fight for their SPFL status next month.
It was a third straight draw for the Blue Brazil and back-to-back shut-outs for the Binos after last week’s 1-0 win at Stranraer but it was a scrappy encounter short on quality.
Stirling were hampered by injury, illness and suspension, with Paul McLean, Jordan McGregor, Ray Grant, Akeel Francis, Dylan Mackin and Nathan Flanagan all ruled out.
There were two changes, with Marc Laird and Martin McNiff drafted into the starting line-up.
With Dale Carrick fit enough only to start on the bench, winger Kieran Moore - a prolific scorer with Lochgilphead Red Star prior to joining Queen’s Park was up front and at times Aaron Dunsmore provided unlikely support in the forward areas.
With the narrow pitch at
Central Park and striking options limited, Ross McGeachie’s long throws were a feature of the game and the tactic almost paid off after just four minutes when one of his deliveries was met by fellow defender Adam Cummins but his header came back off the bar.
Stirling were the better team in the first half but in truth chances were scarce at either end and none of the three goalkeepers Cowden brought on Cammy Gill in place of Craig McDowall after 34 minutes after he picked up a minor knock - had much to do.
The hosts barely threatened before the break but had a bit more about them in the second half and on-loan Falkirk forward Sammy Ompreon sent an angled shot against the face of the crossbar after making inroads down the inside-left channel.
Defender Craig Barr should have done better than hit a shot straight at Blair Currie following a corner and the Forthbank No 1 also thwarted veteran striker Liam Buchanan.
The closest to a Stirling goal came in 55 minutes, with the visitors adamant the ball had crossed the line. Laird swung in a cross towards the back post and Jack Leitch’s close-range header was kept out by a combination of Gill’s reaction save and the frame of the goal.
Then, in stoppage time, the ball broke to Laird following a McNiff throw-in that was partially cleared but the experienced midfielder saw his powerful volley well saved by the keeper.
Stirling Albion: Currie, McGeachie, Hancock, Cummins, McNiff, Banner, Dunsmore, Laird, Moore (Carrick 60), Leitch, Roberts (Paterson 81). Subs not used: Law (GK), Creaney, J Grant, Young.